Tony is an over-the-road (OTR) driver, shuttle-running from our HQ at Moro to Los Angeles, then stopping along the way back to pick up products from our vendors. It’s about a five-day route, and then he gets to enjoy two days off at home. He’s been driving OTR for over a decade, with his faithful dog, Burke, coming along for the ride. “I got Burke about 8 years ago. He keeps me active and moving, he motivates me to make stops and get out of the seat, and we get a lot of walks in when I take breaks. He’s a great companion.”
Tony discovered Azure when he made deliveries to us while driving for another company. “I had heard David Stelzer talking about Azure on Kevin Rutherford’s radio show, and I liked what I heard. The next time I made a delivery at Azure, I picked up an application, and they hired me.” Long weeks on the road as a continuous OTR driver for another company were wearing on him. “I never knew when I was going to get home. I lost my brother to cancer a few months ago, and I needed some flexibility to be available for my elderly parents. Now I have that flexibility to visit and care for them on my off-days. Azure offered me the opportunity to still drive OTR, but with a set schedule. And I like the family-oriented, health-focused atmosphere at Azure.”
Tony loves traveling and enjoying the outdoors. “Up here in the Pacific Northwest, we have lots of incredible hiking opportunities. I love exploring the mountains and rivers, kayaking the Puget Sound and rivers, and spending as much time as I can outdoors. Anywhere I can take my dog is where you’ll find me.” He has traveled to all 48 lower states, except for Vermont, and enjoys seeing so much of America. “I’m a history buff. I can’t get enough of learning about history, so it’s been great to drive, travel, and take a couple of days off between jobs to see historical landmarks. Driving has given me some great experiences.”
While Tony’s current route doesn’t include customer drops, we couldn’t do what we do without him! He’s a crucial part of getting Azure products to folks along our Southern California routes, and bringing vendor loads back to the warehouse to supply our customers all over the US. You might occasionally get to see him filling in for other drivers, and if you do, make sure you greet him and his furry travel companion, Burke!
You can read about other Azure Delivery Drivers here.